Stephen Colbert in the Zeitgeist – WTF Emmy 2010 Edition

Stephen Colbert’s part in the 2010 Emmy awards, while small, was mentioned all over the Emmy coverage that hit the news cycle this morning. Many praised his efforts as one of the highlights of the evening, and others booed the Emmy voters for not giving him the Emmy that they felt he deserved. We can relate to that sentiment.

“Strangely enough, one of the highlights of the night, besides Ricky Gervais handing out beer to the front row, was Stephen Colbert’s Human Centipede name-check. While accepting his nomination for writing team on the Stephen Colbert Report, the comedian claimed his writing team was “the greatest staff in the world. These people think together, they move together, they act as if they’re one living creature. Or they soon will — once I make them a human centipede.” A collective shriek was heard round the nation when Moms everywhere googled “Human Centipede.” Well played, sir.”

“10. Best Presentation Patter, Part I: Introducing the best supporting actress in a comedy category, Stephen Colbert announces that the night is all about the ladies. ‘Many of you look lovely tonight,’ he deadpans. Jane Lynch, the winner of the award, goes on to thank her parents for ‘being so unintentionally hilarious.'”

“Jane accepted her first ever Emmy win by calling it “outlandish,” kissing Stephen Colbert on the lips and thanking her “lord and creator, Ryan Murphy, for creating the role of a lifetime,” and told her fellow castmates, “You’re young, and you’re wonderful and fresh-faced and, when I’m not seething with jealousy, I love you.”

“More good stuff: Even though it felt like the producers were rushing, I did welcome the elimination of the presenter banter. Only people who knew how to do it well — Fey, Colbert, Joel McHale — got to be funny. Even then, they kept it to one or two lines.”

“But the real horror winner on TV’s biggest night has to be The Human Centipede. In a pretaped nominee video, Stephen Colbert lauded his Colbert Report team as “the greatest staff in the world. These people think together, they move together, they act as if they’re one living creature. Or they soon will, once I make them a human centipede.” As a topper, the text “100% Medically Accurate” appeared on screen as Colbert’s staffers ran in terror”

“Love Jon Stewart. Love The Daily Show. Don’t really mind that it has now won eight in a row. But, this year especially, The Daily Show over The Colbert Report? Really? Thankfully, we have Stephen Colbert to look forward to. He’ll be talking about that all week. Just you wait.”

“It was hard not to feel just a tiny bit awkward during the award for Best Variety or Music Special. When Fallon walked into the audience to sing a song with Stephen Colbert, the camera picked up Conan O’Brien sitting just behind the them, trying his best to look unaffected.”

“Jane Lynch and Stephen Colbert experienced a different kind of physicality, however, after Colbert presented Lynch with her Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The pair had to be chased down and grabbed by an Emmy staffer when they exited the stage the wrong way.”

Ha! Well said, John Oliver. I also like this quote: “We come here, have a little party and then go back home.” That helps remind me that at the end of the day, it’s just a stupid award that really has no basis for how TDS and TCR operate – except for “Stephen,” of course. I can’t wait for another Who’s Not Honoring Me Now when they get back from break!

Thanks for the tidbit, DB. If this is true, at least it wasn’t something bad that happened. I don’t think Jon’s missed an Emmy ceremony yet, so part of me was actually concerned. Unless, if John Hodgman’s assessment is correct and that he was, in fact, sleeping in his bed full of melted Emmys. Hehe…

As a Red Sox fan, I am used to rooting for the underdog and continually being disappointed. From now on, The Daily Show is the Yankees to me.
I have to agree with the person who said that they should reject the Emmy. The Daily Show is wonderful but it was not better than its competition this year. Jon is a Mets fan, so I assume he hates the Yankees. C’mon, Jon–Don’t become the Yankees. THROW IT BACK! THROW IT BACK!
Since you are the executive producer on the Report, it’s not like you’ll really lose.

First: Welcome to the blog, and LOVE your handle! You totally need to get a PK Winsome gravatar to go with that (go to http://en.gravatar.com/ and register, and the picture by your post will change!).

Second: There are a few red carpet pics (post forthcoming); however, since he was one of the first presenters of the night, I’m guessing that he had to get there super early, so he probably missed a lot of the normal red carpet shenanigans.

I do think a lot of people are tired of the Emmy voters playing favorites – which they have been doing for decades – and while we can’t do anything about it it’s nice to see that people enjoyed Stephen’s appearance on the show.

I’d love to see the Emmy voters all have to answer a quiz to prove they watch every show on the ballot! Because I really think they don’t. Stephen is on the same time as Leno (ugh), Dave, and was on against Conan. Sure they should have watched the submitted show tape but did they?

I thought it was the Glenn Beck episode too, with the 15-minute sequence by the blackboard. I have to say, I thought it was brilliant. Needless to say, I think Stephen should have won. But Jon did choose the right episode to represent his best work.

Gratefull – “Mr. Stewart says that TDS and TCR are the same DNA … two halves of the one hour.”
I completely agree with that. I have one favourite show. It is one hour long, and it is called StewartandColbert. It is an awesome show.

And YES, tacos for everyone! (I may have memorised that speech in case I ever win an award.)

I would have thought the clip showed in the presentation would be from his Iraq show, not for the writing nomination, or couldn’t they have shown any of the Iraqi shows for some obvious military reason? Am I just confused? I did love the whole Human Centipede clip though, brilliant!

I think the TCR staff made that clip specifically for the Emmys. They could have played a clip from the Iraq shows, but my guess would be that since they won the Writing Emmy, Stephen wanted to show off how proud he was of his staff for winning an Emmy (a win that was barely televised), while simultaneously making the clip funny with the Human Centipede bit. :)

I think including the entire staff in the clip (not just Stephen, or the writers) was wonderfully appropriate. The Iraq shows were amazing, and unprecedented, and there’s no way they could have pulled it off without a staff of such talented and dedicated people. The honor of the nomination goes to every one of them, and I’m so glad to see that highlighted (though I send my condolences on the gruesome fate that apparently awaits them).

I’m sorry to lower the tone here [we Brits can spot a smutty double entendre a mile off], but I can’t get past “Stephen Colbert’s part in the 2010 Emmy awards, while small, was mentioned all over….”! *giggle* Oh, DB!

Is it too soon to suggest that TCR nominate the July 7 episode with Steve Carell for next year’s Emmys? Not only was it an amazing show in every way, but the show featured Stephen, Steve and a guest cameo by Jon! The Emmy folks could happily award them all (in a manner of speaking).

No, it’s not too soon at all! I think that show was amazing. Don’t know that it would get Carrell anything, though. Was he credited as a writer on that episode? And does it go to individuals who might participate in a single epidode or only the staff writers? For Best Variety Show, whatever is entered, I think the award goes only to regular staff, since it’s really given for the year, with the submission meant only as an example.

I think Carrell will still be eligible for “The Office,” though. Did you hear they’re thinking of Harvey Keitel to replace him? I love Keitel, but boy that would be a 180-degree turn!.